The Chief Collector of Customs Appraisement (South), Muhammad Jamil Nasir Khan, has announced a major improvement in customs operations following the introduction of the Faceless Customs Assessment (FCA) System. The innovative platform has reduced Goods Declaration (GD) clearance time from an average of 109 hours to just 18 hours, streamlining processes for importers and boosting efficiency. Speaking at the Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI), the Chief Collector highlighted the benefits of the FCA system, including a decrease in demurrage charges and operational costs for importers.
“This system eliminates the need for physical visits to public offices and reduces the likelihood of lengthy litigations,” he explained. Since its launch in mid-December, the system has also achieved robust revenue collection, with Rs. 86 billion collected in its first 15 days. The meeting was attended by key members of KCCI, including its President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, Senior Vice President Zia ul Arfeen, Vice President Faisal Khalil Ahmed, and members of the Managing Committee, among others. Muhammad Jamil Nasir Khan emphasized that the rapid GD clearance under the FCA system is expected to encourage other departments to enhance their operational efficiency, thereby strengthening Pakistan’s economy. Plans are already underway to establish a Centralized Examination Center in Karachi, equipped with advanced technology such as bodycams for real-time monitoring and transparency.
Funded by the World Bank, this initiative will include an incentive-based system for appraisers, rewarding speed and accuracy in GD processing. Additionally, Customs Assessment Units (CAUs) are set to be established in Lahore and Islamabad, which will integrate seamlessly with Karachi’s operations—currently handling 80% of Pakistan’s imports. Acknowledging initial challenges during the system’s implementation, the Chief Collector credited the support from KCCI for its successful rollout. He highlighted that the FCA system has already led to a 31% reduction in GDs processed through red and yellow channels, a surge in green channel clearances, and a 75% drop in document calls. Furthermore, it has abolished the group-based assessment structure, consolidating all 80 officials into a unified environment to ensure GDs are processed sequentially, eliminating favoritism.
This improved clearance system has minimized costs for importers by reducing delays and unnecessary payments while maintaining revenue integrity. The Chief Collector also stated that the system is particularly beneficial for industrial raw material importers, addressing longstanding challenges in commercial and miscellaneous imports. KCCI President Muhammad Jawed Bilwani expressed optimism about the system, describing it as a transformative step for Pakistan’s trade processes.
“The Faceless Customs Assessment System has been widely appreciated by the business community for its potential to revolutionize customs clearance,” he said. He added that quicker clearance of raw materials will accelerate production cycles, ultimately boosting exports. Bilwani urged the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to ensure the system’s long-term functionality and efficiency, noting its potential to enhance Pakistan’s global port rankings. “We look forward to similar reforms that can further optimize the clearance process, reducing demurrage and detention losses,” he said. He also highlighted the potential of the faceless system to centralize consignment clearances, reducing the need for dry ports while tackling corruption and misdeclaration.
Discussing Pakistan’s recent Current Account surplus, Bilwani stressed the importance of addressing the trade deficit through technological innovations like the FCA system. He also noted the benefits of the FASTER system for exporters, which has enabled timely refund payments. However, he pointed out persistent delays caused by the Ministry of Finance and proposed creating sector-specific accounts for refunds to prevent bottlenecks.
